Volunteer eligibility

Who is eligible to apply for the Volunteers Rebate?

Rebates are available on the principal place of residence or farm of eligible volunteers and life members from:

• the Country Fire Authority (CFA)
• Victoria State Emergency Service (VICSES)
• Shepparton Search and Rescue Squad.

Volunteers and life members must meet the criteria below on 31 May before the levy year being claimed.

An eligible volunteer is a current volunteer member who:

• is not inactive, or suspended due to disciplinary action
• has not received remuneration in their capacity as a volunteer except reimbursement for any out-of-pocket expenses
• has completed 12 months’ service, including any probationary period required by the relevant emergency service to become a volunteer member, and
• has not been on a leave of absence from their service for the entire duration of the last 12 months except if that absence has been approved by the relevant emergency service under the following circumstances:
• time off due to an injury for which the volunteer received compensation under any law; or
• unpaid parental leave, treated the same way as it would be for an employee under the Fair Work Act 2009;

A person declared a life member of the relevant emergency service (except where the person has been declared a life member by a brigade or unit) is also eligible.

To claim a rebate for the 2025-26 ESVF levy, volunteers and life members must meet the criteria above on 31 May 2025.

To claim a rebate for the 2026-27 ESVF levy, volunteers and life members must meet the criteria above on 31 May 2026.

An authorised representative may apply for a rebate on behalf of an eligible volunteer or life member including an eligible volunteer or life member who has recently passed away.

I am a life member. Am I eligible to apply?

You’re eligible to apply if you are a:

• VICSES Service life member
• Shepparton Search and Rescue Squad Service life member, or
• Country Fire Authority life member awarded by the authority.

A person declared a life member by a brigade or unit isn’t eligible for a rebate, unless they are an eligible volunteer.

How will I know if I am an eligible volunteer or life member?

To determine your eligibility, please see the eligibility criteria stated in section 3.1 of the guidelines.

If you are unsure whether you meet a specific condition, you will need to contact your volunteer organisation.

If you don’t understand the eligibility criteria, contact the Department of Government Services on 1300 778 931 or submit an enquiry.

As a life member, do I need to still volunteer actively to be eligible?

No. Life members don’t need to meet the conditions for eligible volunteers.

Life members must only satisfy the requirements for eligible life members, which is that you must be declared a life member by the authority of one of the following emergency services. Eligible life members include:

• CFA life members who have been awarded by the Authority;
• VICSES Service life members; or
• SSRS Service life members.

If you have been declared a life member by a brigade or unit only, you’re not an eligible life member.

Am I an eligible life member if I have been declared a life member by a brigade or unit?

No. If you’ve been declared a life member by a brigade or unit only, you are not considered an eligible life member.

To be an eligible life member, you must have been declared a life member by the Authority of your emergency service. Eligible life members include:

• CFA life members who have been awarded by the Authority;
• VICSES Service life members; or
• SSRS Service life members.

But you may still be able to apply for the Volunteers Rebate if you meet the eligible volunteer conditions stated in section 3.1. of the guidelines.

How can I prove that I am an eligible volunteer?

You will need to give your volunteer member number when you apply.

We‘ll then validate your volunteer or life member eligibility with your volunteer organisation.

What should I do if I have forgotten my volunteer member number?

Your volunteer member number is on your volunteer card, or you can contact your volunteer organisation.

If you can’t find it, contact your volunteer organisation for assistance.

I was an eligible volunteer on 31 May but have since left the organisation. Am I eligible for the Volunteer Rebate?

Yes, you are eligible for the Volunteers Rebate if you met all the volunteer eligibility conditions on 31 May of the financial year before the one you claim.

For example, if you met the volunteer eligibility conditions on 31 May 2025 and then resigned on or after 1 June 2025, you would still be eligible to apply for the 2025-26 levy year. Likewise, if you met the volunteer eligibility conditions on 31 May 2026 and then resigned on or after 1 June 2026, you would still be eligible to apply for the 2026-27 levy year.

Can I apply on behalf of a volunteer or a deceased volunteer?

Yes, if you are an authorised representative you can apply for the rebate on behalf of an eligible volunteer or life member or eligible deceased volunteer or life member.

An authorised representative includes:

• a lawful attorney or agent of the volunteer
• an assignee of the volunteer
• an executor or administrator of the volunteer’s estate.

A family member who has been formally authorised by the volunteer can apply on the volunteer’s behalf.

A beneficiary of a volunteer’s deceased estate can also apply but only once the estate has been settled, otherwise an executor or administrator must apply.

What are the eligibility requirements for deceased volunteers or life members?

A rebate can only be claimed for the levy year in which the volunteer or life member passed away and the levy year immediately after their death.

Eligibility for the levy year in which the volunteer or life member

• Volunteers and life members must be recognised as an eligible volunteer or life member on 31 May of the levy year before the levy year being claimed.
• For example, to claim a rebate for the 2025-26 levy year for a volunteer who died in January 2026, they must have been recognised as an eligible volunteer on 31 May 2025.

Eligibility for the levy year immediately after the date of death

• The volunteer or life member must have been recognised as eligible on 31 May before they died.
• For example, to claim a rebate for the 2026-27 levy year for a volunteer who died in January 2026, they must have been recognised as an eligible volunteer on 31 May 2025.
• For example, to claim a rebate for the 2026-27 levy year for a volunteer who died on 15 June 2026, they must have been recognised as an eligible volunteer or life member on 31 May 2026.

Property eligibility

On what type of property can I claim the rebate?

You can claim the rebate on leviable land located in Victoria.

You can choose one property per financial year to claim. It can be your:

• principal place of residence (PPR) that you own in your personal name;
• farmland in which you have a direct or indirect ownership interest; or
• Single Farm Enterprise (SFE) in which you have a direct or indirect ownership interest.

We’ll use the Australian Valuation Property Classification Code (AVPCC) listed on your rates notice to determine your property’s land type.

For detailed information on eligible properties, please refer to sections 3.2 and 3.3 of the Volunteers Rebate guidelines.

What is an AVPCC?

The Australian Valuation Property Classification Code (AVPCC) is the property’s classification. It describes the primary use of your land. Each classification has its own rate. There are 5 property classifications for Emergency Services and Volunteers Fund (ESVF) purposes:

1. Residential
2. Commercial
3. Industrial (also includes infrastructure and extractive properties)
4. Primary production
5. Public benefit.

The AVPCC is on your rates notice or the levy assessment notice issued to non-rateable property owners.

To determine the land use of your land, use this AVPCC tool.

How can I prove my property is eligible for the rebate?

To prove your property is eligible, we’ll need a copy of your first rates or levy assessment notice for the financial year when you apply.

This notice, issued by your council between July and September, details your payable rates and Emergency Service Volunteer Fund (ESVF) levy.

Notices such as instalment notices received later in the year can’t be accepted, as they don’t show the full year’s ESVF liability.

If you think your property will receive an adjusted valuation and supplementary rates notice during the financial year, apply after you receive the supplementary notice.

We may ask you for additional documentation to support your application.

How do I know if my property is considered my principal place of residence (PPR)?

Under the Volunteers Rebate, a principal place of residence is considered to be the home where someone lives most of the time. In determining whether land is a person's principal place of residence, all places of residence of the person, whether in Victoria or elsewhere, must also be taken into account.

For a property on residential land to be considered your PPR, the land must:

• be owned in your personal name;
• be used exclusively for residential purposes;
• include a building designed and constructed primarily for residential purposes and lawfully used as your principal place of residence; and
• have a residential Australian Valuation Property Classification Code (AVPCC), as indicated on your rates notice.

AVPCC in this category include:

• 100–199 Residential*
• 729 Defence forces residential quarters
• 742 Religious residence
• 211.2 Shop and Dwelling (single occupancy)
• 211.3 Office and Dwelling (single occupancy).

*You cannot apply with the following property codes:

• AVPCC 109 Residential Airspace
• AVPCC 133 Short Term Accommodation
• AVPCCs 230–237 Short Term Business and Tourist Accommodation.

In certain cases, a residential AVPCC does not allow for the design and construction of a building primarily intended for residential purposes that can be lawfully used as a principal place of residence. Each property is assessed on an individual basis.

Properties with the following residential codes may qualify for a PPR rebate, subject to additional assessment criteria:

• AVPCC 100 Vacant Residential Site/Surveyed Lot
• AVPCC 103 Vacant Residential Rural/Rural Lifestyle
• AVPCCs 150–151.4 Ancillary Buildings.

For a property on primary production land to be considered your PPR, the land must:

• be owned in your personal name;
• include a building designed and constructed primarily for residential purposes that is used as your principal place of residence;
• have a primary production AVPCC, as indicated on your rates notice; and
• be the only parcel of land (lot) on your rates notice.

AVPCCs in this category include:

• 500–599 Primary production

You will receive the full amount of your ESVF liability on your rates notice. The rebate for PPR is not capped.

My Principal Place of Residence (PPR) is not in my name, but I am an eligible volunteer/life member?

No. You can’t claim the rebate. If you’re applying for a rebate on your PPR, the property must be in your name. This means your name must be on the rates or levy assessment notice as a property owner.

I am an eligible volunteer, and I live with my partner, who is the sole owner of our Principal Place of Residence (PPR). Can I claim the rebate?

No. You can’t claim the rebate. If you are applying for a rebate on your PPR, the property must be in your name. This means your name must be on the rates or levy assessment notice as a propery owner, either as a sole or joint owner.

Please note that spouses and domestic partners can transfer property between themselves. Transfers of a principal place of residence (PPR) made for no consideration are exempt from duty. You can visit the State Revenue Office (SRO) website to find further information about the exemption requirement and how to apply for it.

If you complete the above process, you can apply for a rebate so long as your name appears on the rates notice as the property owner. Depending on when the transfer is finalised, you may only become eligible to claim the rebate in the following year.

My property is both primary production land and my principal place of residence. Is it eligible for the rebate?

Yes. For a property on primary production land to be considered your principal place of residence (PPR), the land must:

• be owned in your personal name
• include a building designed and constructed primarily for residential purposes that is used as your principal place of residence
• have a primary production Australian Valuation Property Classification Code (AVPCC), as indicated on your rates notice
• be the only parcel of land (lot) on your rates notice.

AVPCC in this category include:

• 500–599 Primary production

You’ll receive the full amount of your ESVF liability on your rates notice. The rebate for PPR is not capped.

If your property is part of a Single Farm Enterprise (SFE):

• You can include multiple farmland parcels if they meet the eligibility criteria, such as being farmed as one business, owned by you, and occupied by the same people.
• If one of the parcels is your PPR it may be included in the application if it has either a residential or primary production AVPCC code and if:
• it is contiguous (next) to at least one of the other parcels of farmland in the SFE; or
• it is not contiguous, but the council has applied the SFE exemption to the land.

For the 2025-26 levy year, if you apply for farmland(s) with a cumulative capital improved value of $5 million or more, the rebate you receive will be capped at $1,710, even if it includes your principal place of residence.

For the 2026-27 levy year, if you apply for farmland(s) with a cumulative capital improved value of $10 million or more, the rebate you receive will be capped at $3,152, even if it includes your principal place of residence.

For more details about SFE rebate conditions, refer to section 3.2 in the guidelines.

How do I know if my property is farmland?

If you are applying for the rebate on your farmland, the land must:

• be farmland in which you have a qualifying ownership interest;
• have a primary production Australian Valuation Property Classification Code (AVPCC), as indicated on your rates notice; and
• be the only parcel of land (lot) on your rates notice.

AVPCC in this category include:

• 500–599 Primary production.

For the 2025-26 levy year, if your farm has a capital improved value of $5 million or more, the rebate you receive will be capped at $1,710. If your farm has a capital improved value under $5 million, you’ll receive the full amount of your ESVF liability on your rates notice.

For the 2026-27 levy year, if your farm has a capital improved value of $10 million or more, the rebate you receive will be capped at $3,152. If your farm has a capital improved value under $10 million, you’ll receive the full amount of your ESVF liability on your rates notice.

How do I know how many parcels of land are on my rates notice?

Your rates notice will list each parcel of land, often referred to as a property, lot or Standard Parcel Identifier (SPI).

Can I get a rebate on my industrial or commercial land if I have a direct or indirect interest and I am an eligible volunteer?

You can only apply with the following commercial AVPCC as your principal place of residence (PPR):

• 211.2 Shop and Dwelling (single occupancy)
• 211.3 Office and Dwelling (single occupancy).

You cannot claim any other industrial or commercial codes.

I purchased my property after the start of the financial year, am I eligible for a rebate?

Possibly. Property ownership is assessed using one of the following dates:

• the date of issuance of the rates notice; or
• or 1 July of the levy year.

For applications on behalf of eligible deceased volunteers and life members, ownership for the levy year following their death is assessed as at the date of death.

If you bought the property after the council issued its annual rates notice, you are not eligible for a rebate.

I sold my property after receiving my rates notice, am I eligible for a rebate?

Provided you met the ownership requirements at the relevant assessment date, you may be eligible for a rebate.

Property ownership is assessed using one of the following dates:

• the date of issuance of the rates notice; or
• 1 July of the levy year.

For applications on behalf of eligible deceased volunteers and life members, ownership for the levy year following their death is assessed as at the date of death.

I believe the AVPCC allocated to my property is incorrect. What can I do?

If you believe the Australian Valuation Property Classification Code (AVPCC) allocated to your property is incorrect, you can object to your rating valuation by completing an objection form. Your council will be notified when the objection is submitted. Please note objections have a time limit (two months after a rates notice is sent), so you may only become eligible to claim a rebate in the following levy year.

I own multiple properties

How many rebates can I receive?

You can get one rebate each financial year. Each rates notice (covering all parcels of land levied on that notice) can only be used as part of an application for a rebate once by one person in that year.

I have a principal place of residence and farmland – what rebate(s) can I apply for?

Eligible volunteers may receive one Volunteers Rebate per financial year and can nominate whether that rebate applies to the levy they pay on:

• their principal place of residence; or
• farmland; or
• single farm enterprise.

I own multiple eligible properties. Can I get a rebate for each one?

No, you can only claim one rebate for one property each financial year unless you are applying for multiple parcels of land as part of a Single Farm Enterprise (SFE) (see section 3.2 of the guidelines).

If you have multiple eligible properties (for example, a principal place of residence and farmland that are on separate rates notices), you should carefully decide which property to claim for. Once you receive the rebate payment, you can’t apply for a different property in the same financial year.

Single Farm Enterprise

Can I get a rebate on multiple parcels of land that are part of the same farm/single farm enterprise?

Yes. You can claim a rebate on two or more parcels of land in a Single Farm Enterprise (SFE), up to the rebate cap of $1,710.

You do not need to have received an SFE exemption from your council(s).

To be eligible as an SFE, the land must:

• all be farmland, in which you have a qualifying ownership interest (see section 3.3 of the guidelines);
• be farmed together as a single farming business – it doesn’t matter if they are next to each other or in different council areas;
• have a primary production Australian Valuation Property Classification Code (AVPCC) (see section 3.3 of the guidelines) listed on your rates notice(s); and
• be occupied by the same person or people.

The rebate may also apply if one parcel of land is a principal place of residence (PPR) and has either a residential or primary production AVPCC code and:

• it is contiguous (next) to at least one of the other parcels of farmland in the SFE; or

• it is not contiguous, but the council has applied the SFE exemption to the land.

If the land doesn’t meet these requirements, it can’t be considered part of an SFE.

I own a Single Farm Enterprise (SFE). I have previously claimed and received a rebate on a single parcel of land within the SFE. I now want to apply for the other parcels of land within the SFE, can I apply?

No. A rebate can only be claimed once by one person through one application, in a given financial year.

I am considered a Single Farm Enterprise (SFE) under the Volunteers Rebate. Can I get a SFE exemption with my council?

Being eligible for a Volunteers Rebate for your Single Farm Enterprise does not mean you may be eligible for an SFE exemption on your ESVF levy.

You must apply separately to your local council to have the SFE exemption applied to your municipal charges and fixed charge component of your Emergency Services and Volunteers Fund levy.

Contact your local council to find out if your properties are eligible.

I am a co-owner of a Single Farm Enterprise. Can individual owners apply separately for individual parcels within the Single Farm Enterprise?

Yes. If a Single Farm Enterprise is owned by multiple owners, individual owners can apply for the individual parcels of land within the Single Farm Enterprise, but only if another owner was not paid the rebate for the same parcel of land in the same financial year.

For example: Louise, Andrew and Trinh co-own three parcels of land within a Single Farm Enterprise. Each parcel has its own rates notice and a separate ESVF liability. Parcel 1 has a capital improved value of $5.1 million, parcel 2 has a capital improved value of $6 million and parcel 3 has a capital improved value of $7 million. If Louise applies for all three parcels together, the maximum rebate she would be entitled to is $1,710 in total (as the combined capital improved value is above the $5 million cap for the 2025-26 levy year). After Louise has applied for all three parcels, Andrew and Trinh will not be able to receive any rebates for those parcels.

However, if each owner applied separately for one individual parcel, their rebate entitlement would be $1,710 each in the 2025-26 levy year, as each property is valued above the $5 million cap.

This means it may be financially better for co-owners of a Single Farm Enterprise to apply separately for individual parcels of land within that Single Farm Enterprise, provided each applicant is an eligible volunteer and has a qualifying ownership interest in the parcel/s they apply for.

My property has multiple owners

I am not the sole owner of the property. Can I still claim the Volunteers Rebate?

Yes. If you are one of the owners of the property and an eligible volunteer or life member, you can apply for the rebate on that property’s rates or levy assessment notice.

However, the rebate can only be paid once per property each financial year.

If another owner of the property has already claimed a rebate for that property, you will not be able to claim it again for the same financial year.

Can other members of my family who are also eligible volunteers and have qualifying ownership interests in the same property claim the rebate?

No. The rebate can only be applied once in relation to the same property.

My partner and I are both eligible volunteers. Can we both claim the rebate (if we have a principal place of residence and farmland)?

Yes, if you and your partner are eligible volunteers, you can each claim a rebate as long as the rebates are for different eligible properties that you own.

Each property must meet the eligibility criteria outlined in the sections 3.2. and 3.3 of the Volunteers Rebate guidelines.

Can other eligible volunteers who have a qualifying ownership interest in the same property as me claim the rebate?

It depends. If your farm property has multiple owners, each eligible owner can apply for the rebate using individual rates notices. However, a single rates notice cannot be used as part of an application for a rebate by more than one owner in the same financial year.

If a Single Farm Enterprise is owned by multiple owners, individual owners can apply for the individual parcels of land within the Single Farm Enterprise, but only if another owner was not paid the rebate for the same parcel of land (rates notice) in the same financial year.

Ownership interest

What does it mean to have a qualifying ownership interest in land?

A qualifying ownership interest means you either directly or indirectly own the land.

Direct ownership means the land is owned in your personal name.

Indirect ownership means:

• you own shares in a company that owns the land, or
• you have an interest in the land as a beneficiary of a trust (that’s not a discretionary trust), or
• you have an interest in the land as a specified beneficiary of a discretionary trust. A specified beneficiary is a person who is:
  • specifically named in the trust deed as a beneficiary of the trust; or
  • specifically declared in writing in accordance with the trust deed as a beneficiary of the trust,
• you have an interest in the land as a partner in a partnership, or
• you have an interest in the land as a beneficiary of a deceased estate.

I have a qualifying ownership interest in a property that is owned by a self-managed super fund (SMSF), can I apply?

Yes. A SMSF is a type of trust. If your ownership interest in the property is as a beneficiary of the fund, you can apply. You can’t apply if you’re the trustee of the fund, unless you are also a beneficiary.

How do I prove I have an ownership interest in a company?

You can prove company ownership by providing one of the following documents with your application, issued within the last two years, naming you as a shareholder/member:

• an ASIC current company extract; or
• an ASIC annual company statement.

How do I demonstrate I have an interest in the land as a beneficiary of a trust?

You can demonstrate that you have an interest in the property you are applying for as a beneficiary of the trust by completing and submitting a signed and witnessed statutory declaration as part of your overall application. Please use the Volunteers Rebate statutory declaration generator to create your statutory declaration.

A company is listed as the property owner on my rates notice. What does this mean for my ownership interest?

If a company is shown as the property owner on your rates notice, you may have an eligible ownership interest in the property. This may apply in either of the following situations:

• The company owns the property and you are a shareholder or member of the company.
• The company is listed in its capacity as a corporate trustee of a trust and you are a beneficiary of that trust.

You need to apply under the relevant ownership category.

I am a director of a company that owns a property. Am I eligible?

You may be eligible, but this depends on your company role. Directors aren’t automatically shareholders. To apply, you must also have a qualifying ownership interest in the company by owning shares. If you hold both a directorship and ownership interest, you’re eligible.

I have an interest in the land as a trustee of a trust. Can I apply?

No, trustees are not eligible to apply unless if they have an interest in the land as:

• a beneficiary of a trust (that’s not a discretionary trust), or
• a specified beneficiary of a discretionary trust,

I am a partner in a family or business partnership. Am I eligible?

If you are a partner in a family or business partnership and you have an interest in the land through that partnership, you may be eligible to apply under the farm or single farm enterprise categories. This applies whether the rates notice lists the partnership as the property owner or another partner in the partnership, provided that:

• you are a partner in the partnership; and
• the land is considered partnership property.

To confirm your interest in the land, we may request further evidence.

You can’t apply under the principal place of residence (PPR) category in these circumstances. Partnership ownership does not constitute direct personal ownership. To apply under the PPR category, the property must be owned or co-owned in your personal name

Can I claim the Volunteers Rebate if my principal place of residence is a rental property?

No. The rebate is limited to eligible volunteers who own their principal place of residence in their personal name.

I have an interest in the land as a beneficiary of a deceased estate. Am I eligible?

If you have an interest in the land as a beneficiary of a deceased estate (eg: the property owner on your rates notice is listed as ‘Estate of A.B. Smith’) you may be eligible to apply under the farm or single farm enterprise categories.

To confirm your interest in the land, we may request further evidence.

You can’t apply under the principal place of residence (PPR) category in these circumstances. To apply under the PPR category, the property must be owned or co-owned in your personal name.

Rebate amount and calculation

How is the rebate calculated?

• For your Principal Place of Residence (PPR):
• You can receive the full amount of your ESVF liability as listed on your rates notice.
• For your farmland or Single Farm Enterprise (SFE):
• In the 2025-26 financial year, if the capital improved value (CIV) of the property/properties is $5 million or more, the maximum rebate you can receive is $1,710.
• If the CIV is below $5 million, you will receive the full amount of your ESVF liability as written on your rates notice.
• In the 2026-27 financial year, if the capital improved value (CIV) of the property/properties is $10 million or more, the maximum rebate you can receive is $3,152.
• If the CIV is below $10 million, you will receive the full amount of your ESVF liability as written on your rates notice.

If you receive a $50 concession discount against your ESVF liability as outlined on your rates notice, this same amount will be deducted from your rebate.

What is the cap for farmland and Single Farm Enterprise?

The cap in 2025-26 financial year for farmland and SFE is $5 million of the capital improved value (CIV) of the property/properties.

The cap in 2026-27 financial year for farmland and SFE is $10 million of the capital improved value (CIV) of the property/properties. CIV is the value used by councils to calculate your property rates and your ESVF liability.

In 2025-26, where the total $5 million CIV cap applies, the maximum rebate you can receive is $1,710, which is equivalent to the ESVF liability on a $5 million farm.

In 2026-27, where the total $10 million CIV cap applies, the maximum rebate you can receive is $3,152, which is equivalent to the ESVF liability on a $10 million farm.

Why is there a cap on the rebate for farmland?

The rebate isn’t intended to provide a full exemption from the ESVF for very large commercial farm operations.

The Victorian Government has adopted a very broad definition of ownership in relation to when the rebate can be applied to farmland (including where the volunteer has a direct or indirect ownership interest, for example, as a shareholder of a company or beneficiary of a trust).

I am entitled to a concession for the ESVF liability as listed on my rates notice, how does this affect my rebate entitlement?

If you receive a concession discount against the ESVF liability on your rates notice, then this same amount will be deducted from your rebate entitlement. For example, if your ESVF liability is $254 and you receive a $50 concession discount for the liability on your rates notice, you would receive a rebate of $204.

How to apply

How do I apply for a Volunteers Rebate?

You can apply after receiving your first rates or levy assessment notice for the financial year. Councils typically issue this notice between July and September of each year.

Note: Instalment notices cannot be used because they don’t include the full year’s Emergency Services and Volunteers Fund (ESVF) liability.

You can submit your application before or after paying your rates to the council.

To submit your claim for a rebate:

1. Read the guidelines and these FAQs for further details on eligibility and the application process.
2. Visit your volunteer organisation portal to update your details and verify your volunteer eligibility.
3. Before you apply, ensure you have your:
• proof of identification
• volunteer organisation member number
• rates notice
• your 2025-26 application reference number (required only if you were successful for a rebate 2025-26)
• If the property is owned via a company or trust: entity name or ABN (if relevant)
• If the property is owned by a company – evidence of company shareholding/membership (e.g. an ASIC annual company statement or ASIC current company extract issued within the last two years – required only for first-time applicants and for return applicants whose ownership arrangements have changed)
• If you hold an interest in the land as a beneficiary of a trust – a signed and witnessed statutory declaration declaring your ownership interest. Please use the Volunteers Rebate statutory declaration generator to create your statutory declaration (required only for first-time applicants and for return applicants whose ownership arrangements have changed)
4. Apply by accessing the application form via your volunteer organisation member portal.

If you applied for and received a 2025-26 rebate by 30 June 2026, you will also receive an email with the application link from DGS inviting you to apply for a 2026-27 rebate. Volunteers are encouraged to use this link as it provides a streamlined application process and, if eligibility and ownership arrangements remain the same, it will speed up the processing of your application.

Applications must be made by you personally or an authorised representative. An authorised representative of a volunteer includes (but is not limited to):

• a lawful attorney or agent of the volunteer
• an assignee of the volunteer
• an executor or administrator of the volunteer’s estate.

A family member who has been formally authorised by the volunteer can apply on their behalf.

A beneficiary of a volunteer’s deceased estate can only apply once the estate has been settled, otherwise an executor or administrator must apply.

How do I apply for the Volunteers Rebate if I can’t login to my volunteer organisation’s member portal?

Contact your volunteer organisation for assistance if you can’t log in to the portal.

What is the deadline to apply for a Volunteers Rebate?

You have until 30 June of the financial year after the levy year shown on your rates notice to apply for a rebate. For example:

• For the 2025-26 levy year, a completed application must be submitted by 30 June 2027.
• For the 2026-27 levy year, a completed application must be submitted by 30 June 2028.

You can’t claim a rebate for amounts due under the Fire Services Property Levy, which applied in 2024–25 and prior years.

What documents and information do I need to apply for the rebate?

You will be required to provide the following documents and information with your application to demonstrate your eligibility:

Document type	Description
Proof of identity	Submit one of the following: Australian passport, Medicare card, Australian driver licence or learner permit, or Foreign passport for those issued with an Australian visa.
Volunteer organisation information	Member number.
Previous year’s application reference number (Required only if you were successful for a rebate in 2025-26 and you use the streamlined application form)	Your 2025-26 application reference number (sent to you by DGS when corresponding with you about your 2025-26 application).
Proof of property ownership	All pages of your council rates notice or levy assessment notice/s for the levy year you are applying. DGS requires the property owner details, which are often on the back of page 1 or on pages 2 or 3 of the rates notice. This is your first rates or levy assessment notice of the financial year, typically issued by your council between July and September, outlining your payable rates and levy. Subsequent instalment notices cannot be accepted as they do not show the full year’s ESVF levy. [1] If you are applying for the rebate on a single farm enterprise, you must submit each rates notice you are claiming. If the total capital improved value (CIV) of all parcels of land is more than $5 million for 2025-26 or $10 million for 2026-27, you only need to submit the notices that bring you up to this $5/$10 million value. Providing any further notices will not increase the rebate you receive.
Property qualifying ownership interest information (if applicable)	If the farmland you are applying for is not owned in your own name but is owned by another entity in which you have a qualifying ownership interest, you will be required to provide the following: Entity name Australian Business Number (ABN) (if relevant) Australian Company Number (ACN) (if relevant).
Proof of property ownership interest information (If applicable. If you received a rebate in the 2025-26 financial year and are re-applying for the same property/ies and the ownership of those properties remains the same, you do not need to supply this evidence again)	If you have a qualifying ownership interest in the farmland or single farm enterprise you are applying for, the evidence required is based on ownership type. Shareholder of a company To evidence company ownership please provide one of the following, issued within the last two years, naming you as a shareholder/member: an ASIC current company extract; or an ASIC annual company statement. Beneficiary of a trust To evidence your interest in the land as a beneficiary of a trust (including self-managed superannuation funds – SMSF), please complete and submit a signed and witnessed statutory declaration declaring that you have an interest in the property you are applying for. Please use the Volunteers Rebate statutory declaration generator to create your statutory declaration. Partner in a partnership We may request further evidence if we cannot verify your ownership interest. Beneficiary of a deceased estate We may request further evidence if we cannot verify your ownership interest.
Authorised representatives	We may request further evidence to verify the applicant has been authorised by the volunteer.
Australian bank account details	Account name BSB, and Account number.

[1] If you live in Victoria’s Alpine region or French Island and are liable for the ESVF levy but you don’t receive a rates notice, you will instead receive a levy assessment notice from one of the four Victorian councils that administer the levy for non-municipal land. You will need to submit the levy assessment notice as part of your application rather than a rates notice.

How long does it take to complete an application?

Around 30 minutes, depending on the complexity of your claim.

For applicants who were successful for a 2025-26 rebate and have been invited to apply for a 2026-27 rebate via a shorter, more streamlined application process, completing an application form should take less time.

You should read the guidelines and these FAQs and have all relevant documentation ready before you apply.

If you cannot complete the form in one go, you can save a draft and come back to it later.

I live on non-municipal land and don’t receive a rates notice. How do I apply?

If you live in Victoria’s Alpine region or French Island, you will receive a levy assessment notice instead of a rates notice. Submit the levy assessment notice as part of your application. This replaces the need for a rates notice.

How long do I have to apply after receiving my rates or levy assessment notice?

You have up to 2 years to apply for the rebate. For example, if you are applying for the 2025–26 financial year, you must submit your application by 30 June 2027.

Supporting documentation to attach to your application

How can I scan my rates notice?

When you apply, we will ask you to upload your rates notice/s and other documents, if relevant. The documents must be a certain file type and size.

If you get your rates notice/s by email you can attach the notice to your application.

If you get your rates notice/s by mail you can scan or take a photo of the document to attach it to your application. You can either use your smartphone, a scanner connected to your computer, or a printer with scanning capabilities.

What file types and file sizes can I attach to my application?

The application form accepts the following file types:

• JPEG
• JPG
• PNH
• BMP
• TIFF
• HEIC
• PDF
• Word

Note: In the application form used for first-time applicants, there is a size limit of 5MB for each file.

How do I make the files I want to attach to my application a smaller size?

How to compress a PDF

You can make an existing PDF file smaller by visiting: Adobe - compress a PDF.

Follow these easy steps to compress a large PDF file online:

1. Click the ‘Select a File’ button or drag and drop files into the drop zone
2. Choose the PDF file you want to make smaller
3. After uploading, Adobe Acrobat will automatically reduce the PDF
4. Download your compressed PDF file or sign in to share it.

How do I compress a PDF without losing quality?

The Adobe Acrobat online PDF compressor balances an optimised file size against the expected quality of images, fonts, and other file content.

Drag and drop a PDF into the PDF compression tool at the link above and let Adobe Acrobat reduce the size of your PDF files without compromising quality.

What size PDFs can I compress?

The Adobe Acrobat online PDF compressor tool can compress a PDF of up to 2GB.

How do I check my PDF file size?

To check the file size of a PDF, open Windows Explorer or Mac Finder. From the downloads folder, select the file and right click to view properties.

How to compress an image file

For Windows

1. Find your picture: Go to where your picture is saved (e.g., your "Pictures" folder, or "Downloads").
2. Open with Photos:
   • Double-click the picture. It should open automatically in the "Photos" app.
   • If it doesn't: Right-click on the picture, choose "Open with", and then select "Photos".
3. Find the "Resize" option: Once the picture is open in the Photos app, look for the three dots (...) at the top right corner of the window. Click on them.
4. Select "Resize image": From the menu that appears, click on "Resize image".
5. Choose a smaller size: A small window will pop up with different size options (like "S" for Small, "M" for Medium, "L" for Large).
   • Recommendation: Pick "S (Small)" or "M (Medium)". These options are usually good for sending by email or sharing online, and they show you a much smaller file size.
   • The Photos app automatically balances quality and size for these presets, so you don't need to worry about sliders.
6. Save the new picture: Click the "Save" or "Save a resized copy" button.
   • Important: Give the new, smaller picture a slightly different name (e.g., add "small" to the end: "MyPicture_small.jpg") so you don't accidentally replace your original, larger one.
   • Choose where you want to save it (like your "Pictures" folder or "Desktop") and click "Save".

For macOS

1. Find your picture: Locate the picture you want to make smaller in your Finder (e.g., your "Pictures" folder or"Desktop").
2. Right-click on the picture: Click on the picture once to select it, then right-click on it (or hold down the Control key and click on it).
3. Go to "Quick Actions": In the menu that appears, move your mouse pointer over "Quick Actions". A small side-menu will appear.
4. Select "Convert Image": Click on "Convert Image" in the side-menu.
5. Choose a smaller size: A small window will pop up.
   • Format: Make sure it says "JPEG" (this is usually the best for smaller file sizes for photos).
   • Image Size: Click the dropdown menu next to "Image Size"
   • Recommendation: Choose "Medium" or "Small". This will make the picture physically smaller and therefore reduce its file size.
   • You can also uncheck "Preserve Metadata" if you want to remove extra info like where the photo was taken (this saves a tiny bit more space and can be good for privacy).
6. Convert and save: Click the "Convert to JPEG" button. A new, smaller copy of your picture will appear right next to your original in the same folder.

Still having problems?

For more information and support, please contact the Department of Government Services by calling 1300 778 931 or submit an enquiry.

Application conditions

Can someone else apply for the rebate on my behalf?

Yes. An authorised representative can apply on behalf of a volunteer. This includes:

• A lawful attorney or agent of a volunteer;
• An assignee of a volunteer; or
• An executor or administrator of a volunteer’s estate.

A family member who has been formally authorised by the volunteer can apply on their behalf.

A beneficiary of a volunteer’s deceased estate can only apply once the estate has been settled, otherwise an executor or administrator must apply.

Can a friend or family member help me submit my application?

Yes. A friend, family member or another support person can sit with you and help you complete your application.

If you don’t have someone to help you, you can obtain assistance to complete the application by contacting the Volunteers Rebate Contact Centre by phoning 1300 778 931 or by submitting an enquiry.

Do I have to pay the full Emergency Services and Volunteers Fund (ESVF) levy on my rates notice before I can apply for the rebate?

No. You may claim your rebate either before or after you make your rates payment to your council.

Even if you apply for a rebate, you are still required to pay your council rates and the levy by the due date agreed with your council.

I am in arrears on my rates notice. Can I apply for the rebate?

Yes. Being in arrears (debt) on your rates notice does not affect your ability to apply for the rebate in either the 2025-26 or 2026-27 financial years.

The rules have now changed, so if you were previously made unsuccessful for a 2025-26 rebate due to being in arrears only, you can now claim your rebate.

Application outcome

When will I receive an outcome for my application?

Most applicants will receive an outcome or a request for more information within 30 days of a successful submission.

For more complex applications relating to single farm enterprise and with complex qualifying ownership, it may take longer than 30 days.

You’re more likely to get a quick outcome if you give us everything we need when you apply. We may need more time to provide an outcome if we need extra evidence or at busy times.

What should I do if I believe my application was incorrectly assessed or paid?

If you believe your application was incorrectly assessed or paid, you can ask for a review by contacting the department via the details provided in your outcome email.

We’ll assess your request on its merits against the eligibility criteria, as described in the guidelines.

The request must be received within 60 days from the date the department notifies you of the outcome of your application. You may be required to provide additional information to substantiate your request.

Rebate payment

When will I receive my payment?

Upon receiving a successful application outcome, it may take up to 10 business days for the payment to reach your nominated bank account, depending on your bank.

How can I change my bank account details?

Contact the Department of Government Services immediately on 1300 778 931 or submit an enquiry.

If you’ve received a successful application outcome, changing your banking details may delay payment of your rebate.

Withdrawing an application, change of mind and reapplication

How can I withdraw my application?

Contact the Department of Government Services immediately by phoning 1300 778 931 or by submitting an enquiry.

You will not be able to withdraw an application after you’ve been paid the rebate.

Can I change the property I want to receive a rebate on after I have already been paid?

No, you can’t change the property after you’ve been paid.

• You are only allowed one rebate per financial year.
• If you are eligible, you can apply for a rebate on a different property in the next financial year.

Will supplementary notices be considered for re-application?

Yes, but with conditions:

• A supplementary rates notice is issued for changes to your property's value or use (e.g., renovations, construction, land use changes, etc).
• If you expect an adjusted valuation and supplementary notice later in the financial year, wait until you receive it before applying for the rebate. If you've already applied for or received the rebate before receiving a supplementary notice and want to reapply under your new ESVF liability, please contact the Department of Government Services by phoning 1300 778 931 or by submitting an enquiry.